Expositions

Working hours :

Tuesday – Friday 10:00-17:00

Saturday 10:00-17:00

Lunch time 12.00 – 13.00

Days off – Sunday, Monday

Expositions will be closed on the All Saints’ Days (1, 2 November), Christmas Eve (24 December), Christmas (25-26 December), New Year (1 January) and Easter (16-17 April).

Attention: Visitors can’t visit the museum if less than half an hour left till the lunch time or the end of the work.

Entrance fee:

For adults – 4,00 €;

For children, students, pensioners, disabled people – 2,00 €;

Guide service (in foreign language) –  35,00 €;

In 1962, the first underground ballistic missile launch complex in the Soviet Union, known as “Dvina,” was constructed in Plokštinė (Plungė district). This complex spanned more than 100 hectares of Plokštinė Forest and was divided into three main sections: the underground missile launch base, the military town, and a nuclear warhead storage (hangar).

Located approximately 0.5 km from the missile launch silo (now the Cold War Exposition), the military town was built to accommodate around 300 soldiers (100 officers and 200 regular soldiers) who served three-year military terms. These included communication specialists, combat teams (up to 20 people), and support staff. The town, which occupied 12 hectares, housed about 30 buildings with comprehensive infrastructure to meet the soldiers’ needs.

When construction of the military complex began in 1960, several temporary wooden structures such as barracks and canteens were erected. Later, larger multi-purpose brick buildings were constructed. These included separate barracks for officers and regular soldiers, the officers’ headquarters, two canteens (one for officers and one for regular soldiers), a boiler room, a power station, a medical point, a rest and leisure building, various storage facilities, and other structures essential for daily operations. A pig farm was also established to raise about 60-70 pigs, ensuring a self-sufficient food supply for the soldiers.

A drinking water tower was built on-site, supplemented by a water pipeline from Plateliai lake, located 2.5 km from the complex, which featured a water pumping station with two powerful pumps. The military town had specialized water treatment tanks where water was purified using UV light and bactericidal lamps, followed by filtration. This filtered water was also used for cooking.

On June 18, 1978, the Plokštinė missile launch complex was decommissioned, and the military withdrew, taking only their weapons. The complex was guarded for a time, but due to insufficient security, looting soon began.

On September 18, 1979, under the “State Land Use Rights Act,” the entire military complex was transferred to the Plungė district’s Republic Association of Agricultural Recreation Facilities. The military town was converted into the “Žuvėdra” Plateliai Pioneers’ (children’s) camp, with the area adapted to the camp’s needs. The camp operated until 1990.

Following Lithuania’s restoration of independence, the Pioneers’ camp was closed, and in 1993, the entire Plokštinė complex was handed over to the Žemaitija National Park administration. Prior to this, the site had been damaged and looted by local residents. Initially, the former military town was used for the park’s administrative purposes, with plans to establish a nature school. Many of the buildings eventually posed safety risks and were demolished in 2017. Today, around 10 buildings remain on the site.

Some structures, such as the power station, medical point, and food storage cellars (now bat habitats), have retained their original appearance with minor repairs. The former officers’ headquarters (now an Ecological Education Center), garage complex (now a sports hall/garage), and pig farm (now wood storage) were repurposed for the Pioneers’ camp. During that period, a new administrative building was erected in place of the battery station.

Today, visitors can observe the 10 remaining buildings from the outside at the former Plokštinė military town.

By early 2025, informational stands will be installed at the site of former buildings, along with a 3D military layout providing more details about the buildings and the town’s history.

Address: Šilinė street 4, Plokščiai, Plungė dstr.

During the tourist season (May – September) – Mondays – Sundays, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.;

During the off-season (October – April) – Mondays – Sundays, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.;

Guided tours in English can be booked in advance for groups of at least 10 people.

The museum will be closed on the All Saints’ Days (1, 2 November), Christmas Eve (24 December), Christmas (25-26 December), New Year (1 January), Easter (on the first and second day).

For adults – 10,00 € ( the tickets price  1st January to 30th of June) ( 1st September to 31 of December).

For adults – 12,00 € (the tickets price 1st July to 31st of August);

For children, students, pensioners, disabled people – 5,00 € (the tickets price 1st September to 30th of June);

For children, students, pensioners, disabled people – 6,00 € (the tickets price 1st July to 31st of August);

Audio guide service – 4 €

3d tour of The Cold War Exposition

First of all pay attention to the restored piece of multi – stage electronic security system. During the operation time of base the whole vast area was protected by armed soldiers, electric fences and alarms. You can see the Cold War views at the Info – centre which is on the right side of central entrance.

When you will enter the silo launch complex area, pay attention to the four underground silo shells as well as to the technological unit – bunker for all the necessary equipment and the control elements, which is inside of it. Hundred tons silo shields could withstand a nuclear bomb explosion.

Let`s come down to the bunker. At the end of the corridor you will find yourself next to the central control apparatus room. Previously there were four missile control panels and the commands for the missile launch were to be given here. Historical view of this room is rebuilt on the basis of archival footage. You will see in the video- terminal that was formerly showed only on the top – ranking leaders of the USSR. Now this room is equipped with a historical exposition, telling about beginning of the Cold War and of its evolution: from the first disagreement between the allies of the Word War II to the nuclear arming race. Historical exhibits, photographs and video materials will help to understand better this military conflict and to realize how close the nuclear abyss was, though the strength for refusal of mutual self – destruction was found: the course of disarmament is shown at the end of the exposition in the hall.

The armament exhibition is located in the next hall, in the former control apparatus room of fuel components and silo shells. Layouts represent the internal structure of the silo launch complex and missile silo. All devices and units here are newly made in compliance with the original hardware, most of which did not remain in the complex.

The next hall is dedicated to the evolution of missile technology. The combat missile components and equipment from the Cold War period and the only exact model of missile SS – 4 are exhibited here. At the end of the hall there is a restored cabinet of a bunker`s commander. You will see the rigorous colonel which is authorized by this country to “keep a finger” on the “nuclear button” behind the glass.

Let`s acquaint with the restored equipment of communication node and the crew when you will go further down. The political propaganda exposition installed here: during the Cold War years this counter measure was actively used in the Soviet Union and NATO countries. In the ground floor of the bunker you will find the complex hall of electric power plant with the remains of powerful generator, and in the former premise of the electricity distribution you will get acquainted with the information on the Soviet leadership`s efforts to prepare the society of country for possible nuclear conflict shown as a civil defence exposition.

Continue walking along the narrow corridor toward the silo. Previously, it was even narrower because all the walls were filled with the conduits of missile fuel components, electrical cables and other communications. Once you appear in the silo you will see the place where the combat missile was kept for almost two decades. Almost thirty meters depth silo is a complex engineering building, filled with various facilities and communications.

During the off-season (from 1 October to 30 April), the visitor center is open:
II-V 8.00 – 17.00 (lunch break: 12:00 – 12:45).

VI 10:00 – 15:00.

Rest days: Sunday, Monday.

During the tourist season (1 May to 31 August), the visitor center is open:

II-V 9.00 – 18.00 (lunch break: 12:00 – 12:45).
VI 10.00 -15.00

Rest day: Sunday, Monday.